Shocking Data Reveals Rate Of Trans Hate Crimes In 2017

More than 40 percent of transgender people in the UK experienced a hate crime or transphobic incident in the last 12 months, according to LGBTIQ charity Stonewall.

A study by YouGov surveyed over 800 UK trans and non-binary people in England, Wales and Scotland has revealed the shocking extent of discrimination faced by transgender people.

According to the research, two in five trans people (41 per cent) and three in ten non-binary people (31 percent) have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months.

That number increases to 53 percent of young adults who experienced a crime or incident against them based on their gender in the last year.

But a shocking 79 percent of trans people did not report their crimes due to a perceived lack of support or fear of further discrimination, the report found.

Thirty-four percent had reported being discriminated against because of their gender identity and more than a quarter of trans people in a relationship have faced domestic abuse from a partner.

Almost half of all trans people (48%) don’t feel comfortable using public toilets over fear of discrimination or harassment and a quarter have experienced homelessness.

The study also found some trans people avoid certain streets for their own safety, a third of trans students in higher education experienced negative comments or behaviour from staff, and many had reported being discriminated against when searching for a home.

one 32-year-old trans person is quoted as saying in the report, “We are constantly questioned on our existence, treated hostilely and ridiculed in the mane of debate… I’m sick of being described as a mentally ill freak.”

“I get shouted at every single time I leave my house and threatened at least once a week. I try to closet myself from my family because I’m so close to getting kicked out,” another 21-year-old trans person said.

A 24-year-old trans person says in the report, “The waiting lists are excruciatingly long on the NHS to the point I feel I’m not mentally strong enough to wait this long.

“Hormones/surgery are incredibly difficult to get hold of but are something that will greatly improve my mental wellbeing.”

Chief Executive of Stonewall Ruth Hunt said the report exposes “the devastating levels of discrimination and abuse that many trans people are subject to across all areas of their lives.”

“It’s shameful that in Britain everyday activities like going to the café, having a peaceful day at work or accessing decent healthcare are made impossible for people simply because of who they are,” she said.

Hunt said as the UK government began consultation on reforming the country’s Gender Recognition Act “much of the public discussion has descended into vile, distorted and cruelly targeted transphobia.”

“It’s up to all of us to stand up as allies to trans people and making discriminating against people because they are trans as unacceptable as it is to target someone because of their race or religion,” she said.